Rob Schneider Just Called For The Military Draft To Be Reinstated—And It's Not Going Over Well

Actor Rob Schneider had the Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo audacity to call on Uncle Sam to reinstate the military draft amid the war in Iran—a suggestion that quickly ignited backlash and raised more than a few eyebrows.

Schneider took to X last Friday, quoting John F. Kennedy:

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Delivered on January 20, 1961, the line became a defining moment of John F. Kennedy’s presidency, shaped with the help of adviser Ted Sorensen and framing public service as a shared responsibility.

The Grown Ups star laid out his proposal for mandatory service:

“Each and every American, at eighteen years of age, must serve two years of military service. They could also choose to serve part of that time overseas or in country in a volunteer capacity."

"Being a citizen of the United States gives us unparalleled Freedoms and opportunities that are the envy of the world."

"However, these Freedoms that we cherish do not come without a cost.”

As the war in Iran enters its third week, discussion of a potential draft has resurfaced, with questions mounting over whether the U.S. military’s all-volunteer force would be sufficient if the conflict expands.

Schneider argued national service would unify Americans:

“By protecting and preserving these Freedoms, young people, regardless of race, creed or religion will be united in service to their country and just as importantly, to each other."

"Many Nations around the world require their young citizens to serve their country. Until recently, our Nation did as well.”

Schneider, who has not served in the military and is not known for a background in education or fitness training, also framed the draft as a corrective to modern universities.

Praising military service, Schneider explained:

“Unlike in today’s Universities, our young people will learn how truly great their country is and how unique and incredible are the Freedoms that this Nation bestows upon them. Service is a solemn reminder of the men and women before them who ‘paid the last full measure of devotion’ so that we may enjoy these Freedoms.”

The United States last used a military draft on December 7, 1972, during the Vietnam War. While there is currently no active draft, U.S. male citizens ages 18 to 25 are still required to register with the Selective Service System.

Schneider closed his post with an overtly patriotic sign-off:

“To the young people of America, this is your country and your future. We will leave this great and Free Nation in your good hands for your children and for your children’s children. God Bless the United States of America!”

You can view his unsolicited advice in full here:

Schneider’s call for a draft is the latest turn in a political evolution he’s leaned into for more than a decade. He began distancing himself from the Democratic Party around 2013, citing frustrations with California leadership, and by 2017, described himself as an independent who leaned conservative.

In the years since, that shift has sharpened, with Schneider becoming a vocal critic of so-called “woke” culture, a promoter of anti-vaccine views, and a supporter of Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

More recently, he has maintained a steady presence in right-wing media spaces, where he has also claimed he’s been “blacklisted” from Hollywood because of his political beliefs.

So when Schneider floated the idea of reinstating the draft, the internet met it exactly where you’d expect.

Online reaction was swift. Critics questioned why a policy that would directly impact young Americans was being championed by a 60-year-old comedian who has never served, while others zeroed in on the reality that Adam Sandler’s longtime comedy partner has fully embraced MAGA politics.

You can view the reactions here:

The broader policy conversation, however, remains unsettled.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the possibility of expanded U.S. military involvement earlier this month.

Leavitt spoke in a March 10 interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo:

“The president, as commander in chief, wants to continue to assess the success of this military operation. It's not part of the current plan right now, but the president, again, wisely wants to keep his options on the table.”

According to the Pentagon, more than 300 American service members have been wounded, and 13 have been killed.

For now, a draft remains hypothetical, but as the conflict continues, Schneider’s call for mandatory service is no longer just a fringe talking point.